Volatile Compounds of the Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida, Cogn) and a Wax Gourd Beverage

ABSTRACT The volatile compounds of the wax gourd ( Benincasa hispida , Cogn) and a wax gourd beverage were isolated by the Likens‐Nickerson method and identified by Kovats indices and mass spectra. The major compounds identified in the gourds were E‐2‐hexenal, n‐hexanal and n‐hexyl formate; however, 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine, 2,6‐dimethylpyrazine, 2,3,5‐trimethylprazine, 2‐methylpyrazine, and 2‐ethyl‐5‐methylpyrazine were the major compounds in the wax gourd beverage.